Static vs Dynamic Core Exercises for Improving Serve and Spike Speed in Elite Young Male Volleyball Players

NCT07641439 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2026-04-40
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 31
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Volleyball performance at the elite level will depend heavily on the speed and efficiency of overhead actions, particularly the serve and the spike. These skills will rely not only on upper-extremity strength but also on the effective transfer of force through the kinetic chain, in which the core musculature will play a central role. Core stability will contribute to balance, postural control, and coordination of movement, all of which will be essential for producing high ball velocities. However, there is limited evidence directly comparing static (isometric) and dynamic (movement-based) core training approaches in elite young volleyball players. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial will be to investigate and compare the effects of static and dynamic core training programs on serve and spike velocity in elite young male volleyball players aged 11-14 years. The study will aim to determine whether different types of core exercises will lead to specific performance adaptations and whether one method will be more effective than the other for improving particular volleyball skills. A total of 31 elite young male volleyball players will be included in the study. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a Static Core Exercise Group (n = 16) or a Dynamic Core Exercise Group (n = 15). Both groups will participate in a structured six-week training intervention, consisting of three sessions per week, in addition to their regular volleyball training. The static core training program will consist of isometric exercises designed to improve trunk stability and muscular endurance. The dynamic core training program will include multi-planar and rotational exercises aimed at enhancing power, coordination, and force production. All training sessions will be supervised and progressively adjusted throughout the intervention period. Serve and spike velocities will be measured before and after the intervention using a radar-based measurement system under standardized testing conditions. Anthropometric characteristics, including height and body mass, will also be recorded. Statistical analyses will be conducted to evaluate within-group changes and between-group differences following the intervention. The primary research question will be: Will static and dynamic core training programs differentially affect serve and spike velocity in elite young male volleyball players? A secondary objective will be to determine which type of core training will be more effective for improving specific volleyball performance outcomes. It will be hypothesized that both training approaches will lead to improvements in performance. However, dynamic core exercises are expected to result in greater increases in serve velocity due to their emphasis on rotational power and movement specificity, whereas static core exercises are expected to provide greater improvements in spike velocity by enhancing trunk stability during ball contact. The findings of this study will provide practical guidance for coaches and practitioners in designing evidence-based training programs for youth volleyball players and will contribute to more effective performance development and training periodization strategies.

Conditions

Healthy; Sport

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in volleyball serve ball speed measured by radar system

  Maximum volleyball serve speed will be measured using a calibrated radar gun under standardized testing conditions. Each participant will perform three maximal serves, and the highest recorded velocity will be used for analysis. Ball speed will be reported in kilometers per hour (km/h). Measurements will be obtained at baseline and after the 6-week intervention period.

  Baseline and post-intervention (6 weeks)

• Change in volleyball spike ball speed measured by radar system

  Maximum volleyball spike speed will be assessed using a calibrated radar-based measurement device under standardized testing conditions. Participants will perform three maximal spike attempts, and the highest recorded velocity will be included in the analysis. Ball speed will be reported in kilometers per hour (km/h). Measurements will be collected before and after the 6-week training intervention.

  Baseline and post-intervention (6 weeks)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Change in core muscle endurance assessed by plank hold duration

  6 weeks

• Body mass and height measurements

  6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Static Core Exercise Group (SCEG)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm will perform a structured static (isometric) core training program in addition to their regular volleyball training. The program will include exercises such as front plank, side plank, lower abdominal plank, and posterior plank. Training will be conducted for six weeks, three sessions per week, with progressive increases in duration.

Other: Static Core Exercise Training; Device: Velocity Speed Gun

Dynamic Core Exercise Group (DCEG)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm will perform a structured dynamic (movement-based) core training program alongside their regular volleyball training. The program will include exercises such as dynamic side plank, Spider-Man plank, bicycle plank, and push-ups. Training will be conducted for six weeks, three sessions per week, with progressive increases in repetitions and intensity.

Other: Dynamic Core Exercise Group (DCEG); Device: Velocity Speed Gun

Interventions

Static Core Exercise Training OTHER

Participants in this arm will perform a structured static (isometric) core training program in addition to their regular volleyball training. The program will include exercises such as front plank, side plank, lower abdominal plank, and posterior plank. Training will be conducted for six weeks, three sessions per week, with progressive increases in duration.

Static Core Exercise Group (SCEG)

Dynamic Core Exercise Group (DCEG) OTHER

Participants in this arm will perform a structured dynamic (movement-based) core training program alongside their regular volleyball training. The program will include exercises such as dynamic side plank, Spider-Man plank, bicycle plank, and push-ups. Training will be conducted for six weeks, three sessions per week, with progressive increases in repetitions and intensity.

Dynamic Core Exercise Group (DCEG)

Velocity Speed Gun DEVICE

The Bushnell radar velocity gun was used to measure ball velocity during volleyball serves and spikes. The device provided instantaneous speed measurements (km/h) for each trial and was utilized as an objective assessment tool for serve and spike performance.

Dynamic Core Exercise Group (DCEG); Static Core Exercise Group (SCEG)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 11 Years - 14 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• male sex;
• age 11-14 years;
• ≥ 2 years of systematic volleyball training;
• club-level competitive participation;
• absence of any musculoskeletal injury during the preceding six months.

You may not qualify if:

• chronic pain syndromes;
• prior structured core-training intervention within the previous three months;
• attendance at fewer than 90% of the supervised sessions during the trial

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul Gelisim University: lead

Study Sites (1)

İstanbul Gelişim University

Istanbul, Avcılar, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: phd dr

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 5, 2026
• First Posted: June 11, 2026
• Study Start: February 18, 2026
• Primary Completion: February 20, 2026
• Study Completion: April 5, 2026
• Last Updated: June 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Locations

TU (1)